Why is it that classical music is now ignored by the majority of society?

Sure, classical music still exists and is still evolving with new compositions. However, this perennial genre of music has been evidently on the decline with the rise of other types of music that is unfortunately promoted over classical music. I understand that with new generations come new tastes due to media and pop culture, but classical music has been preserved prominently from the Baroque period (1600s) well into the Contemporary and Late Romantic era (late 1800s- 1970s ish). I feel as though classical music should be integrated into education (it is in orchestra, choir, band etc) as a core subject as art is necessary along with athletics to foster a well balanced student. Unfortunately, this antiquated music is left behind and I am afraid that it will one day vanish as the number of composers are dwindling. What are your thoughts on this?

Aug 2 2013:
Classical music has NEVER been popular. Just because a piece has strings and woodwinds and is 100 years old does not make it classical. The pop music from the 19th century has been forgotten. The pop music from the 20th century hasn't yet, because the people who listened to it are still alive.

That being said, I think what you are talking about has to do with the rise of the working class. Less educated people with less sophisticated tastes have more power in society at large, and greater power to influence culture. 200 years ago the upper class set the standards for artistic taste. We now live in a society where the lower classes (and youth especially) make these determinations.

Jul 22 2013:
Mostly the lost interest in classical music has to do with women. Specifically younger women. I do not mean this in a sexist point of view either. I'm just saying that us younger guys are trying to meet these attractive women and if you pull up in your car bumping classical music the women will laugh at you. Also, have you seen the way women dance at clubs? Women run shit, and there will be no classical music at dance clubs lmao! So the trend goes on and music will be faded into history. I love classical in the car though, always will. Thanks for the question

Jul 24 2013:
"Dude !" You are like totally dating the wrong girls. I've met some of the smokinest chicks at the library. Try going to the opera someday, all those slinky dresses, yazzooo dude. More cleavage than a cheer leader convention, and only mildly buzzed on cabernet instead of Jaegermeister shots. Believe it or not, I have scored at the library, and the symphony more than any drunken loud nightclub, "no joke". besides the chicks you meet there actually won't make you want to kill yourself the minute they open their mouth. Chicks with brains are sexy as hell. That's all there is to it. If you like your women loud, rowdy, drunk and passed out when you get them back to the boudoir. Keep clubbing. If you want real ecstasy, and romance with a live breathing coherent "wooooooman". Dig the Symphony, or the opera. I'm telling you man. Listen to me. prepare for a wild ride. My advice, Go for the cello players, they rock. Just keep this quiet I don't want you amateurs stealing my secrets : )

Jul 24 2013:
I have so many secrets. Which one are we talking about. I swear I didn't have anything to do with it.
I was home at the time watching TED talks : ) "You'll never pin this one on me copa!"

I hope I haven't offended to many people. I was just getting started.

Please excuse me if I,ve said anything that upset you. It's only partly a joke. There are a lot of hot chicks at the opera. I was just trying to help the poor suffering kid. Laugh with me mary. I mean no harm, and i'm really not that bad hahahaha." I'm harmless as a butterfly.

Jul 25 2013:
I thought your reply, as well as Juan's were all in good fun.

You haven't offended anyone Peter, at least I hope not.

Not everyone understand humorous comments.......but I think I do. :)

And look at this nickel knowledge I found online:

"Butterflies may cause generalized pruriginous skin lesions of an urticarial or oedematous type (Quincke's oedema), sometimes accompanied by conjunctivitis. This is the more scientific way of saying butterflies may give you a rash. It's not life threatening, but it would be painful and unpleasant to experience."

Hexapodas are not as harmless as I thought.......I have just undergone a paradigm shift in my view of butterflies. :)

Jul 25 2013:
(Quincke's oedema) ??? Holly frijoles, that doesn't sound good at all! Now i'm afraid to go out of the house. I thought I looked up weird stuff, oh man. Now when your in your garden you'll be all paranoid, poison butterflies, next it will be (lachanophobia)that's fear of vegetables: (

Aug 3 2013:
I'm sorry, but surely you must realize that the proper way (the unbiased way) to ask this question is to say: "Is classical music now ignored by the majority of society?" Because unless you've spoken with the majority of society, you don't know that it is. Anyone coming across your conversation has to assume that classical music is ignored by the majority of society before they can narrow themselves into the confines of your question. That's my thought on this.

Aug 11 2013:
Your reply almost makes it sound like you are, in part, suggesting I was being a keen observer. No one has ever suggested I'm keen in any way, and either way one would be mistaken.

Nor do I think it is about being a keen observer, which would take too time and talent, but about getting into the habit of checking the premises of all questions and un-asking the question if necessary. What does the question presuppose? What does it assume?

For someone like me, who has trouble answering a lot of questions, this is a habit I happily formed.

Look at current music scene, you have people like Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Lady Gaga or Nicki Minaj... these people are current 'Kings and Queens' of this industry. These folks are talentless and clueless but they are given praise and a LOT of money by industry controllers. I think as each generation passes we Human Beings are becoming dumber and tasteless-
Verdict:
"Why is it that classical music is now ignored by the majority of society?"
Because majority of society is stupid.

Jul 25 2013:
Do you know how many people HATE JB, lil W, gaga and nicki??? Everyone know they are shit but just because of some reasons their music is widely spread so they are at the top now.

JB is primarily because he is a talented kid but now is a major douche and its only young teen girls that like him.
Lil Wayne is famous because he is a douche too.
gaga is famous because she is unique and weird.
nicki is just BS.

Its crazy how mainstream music is shit. Everyone is suddently soo stupid.

Aug 16 2013:
To realize why classical music is being replaced by the more urban genres we have to first realize what intrigued or rather attracted people to classical music in the first place. It is known that music relates to life and life to music, so you'd obviously like the mode of music that you can (or you think you can) relate to. But then what happens is commercialization... music was never about a string of symmetrical melodies it was much more- it was passion toil etc. etc. But nowadays passion, toil and all such emotions of altruism and stuff don't ring a bell... It is more about outlook and style.

And lets be fair with it.. classical music is complicated. And when it comes to the opinion of the youngsters.. It would be a rare finding to see a youngster or adolescent go to attend a classical function by their own free -will, unless bribed for the same (or even reprimanded otherwise).

Aug 16 2013:
Absolutely informative, Arijit, thanks for that article!
I found it most poignant, that the writer said teens are sheep, and that they don't listen to classical music, because their peers don't.
Although the majority is probably so, I simply can't imagine that ALL teens are incapable of individual thought and taste. Yesterday, I heard about a 24-year-old classical harpist, Remy van Kesteren, who just won the USA International Harp Competition. I was also happy to read this article in the Telegraph about 'Why Young People Still Care About Classical Music':http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/10209253/Why-young-people-still-care-about-classical-music.html
I wonder, with the current pre-fab, artificial, pop-music culture, that young people are getting hungry for a musical counter-movement, taking them back to the roots of music - dynamics, acoustics, authenticity.

Aug 16 2013:
"I wonder, with the current pre-fab, artificial, pop-music culture, that young people are getting hungry for a musical counter-movement, taking them back to the roots of music - dynamics, acoustics, authenticity. "

Let's hope in some ways it does Lizanne...........how ya doin?

Your comment brought to mind one of your very first TED convo's...remember?

Although I, like many on here, enjoy classical music, the pop culture goes for what's in style....and what's in style, is a reflection of society as a whole.......what I notice is that as we get older we appreciate the finer things in life.............i.e "classical music". Of course, this is just my opinion, and my observations from my community.

Other fine things in life..........family, friendships, wine, quiet time LOL

Yesterday I heard an NPR show on why beer is slowly decreasing in it's popularity in America.
The person being interviewed mentioned that as Americans get older, they go for the "fine" things in life.........wine being one of them. And what goes better with classical music, than a nice glass of wine?

Aug 16 2013:
Doin' great, Mary! (Kids just started school, daughter just turned 7, husband has a rotary cuff tear... busy busy busy!)
Indeed, that conversation seems so long ago now - did you ever get an answer to your letter?

Aug 16 2013:
YUP....some even seem to think that classical music is only for white people.....go figure.....

That link you provided is superb.
Boy, it would have been nice to sit in THAT audience!!

School starts on Monday here.....we are all ready to go.....spent the week buying school supplies.

Oh, and that reminds me, there is a teacher I know who plays classical music to the kids who have to stay after school in detention (elementary kids)......I don't know what to make of that.......I've never asked him if he does it to give the kids culture, or to torture them......I've always given him the benefit of the doubt.

Classical music is really beautiful......I hope anyone reading through this conversation will be inspired to listen more to it.

Aug 1 2013:
I think buy-in-large people often look at music as a way to express themselves. That's why music is an identity of a generation, so when the new generation come, they will try to separate with the old, set in motion the "any where but here" notion. That means the music quality is the least of what matter.

Aug 3 2013:
If you focus you can see the distinctive mood from each famous song in this example changing over a period of time. You can see the circle that some time repeat as confident -> naive -> misterious -> and so on....which the point is the evolution of girl choosing their identity to differentiate themselves from the earlier generation, to create variety in order to prove they are a worthy mate, the later generation seem to be more interesting compare to the old ones until the circle start again.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgigpC-xAB8

Aug 3 2013:
People listen to music because they enjoy it, some time, it is because your friend is also listen to it, it's how people socialize. And in order to socialize efficiently, they have to create a unique identity to prove their uniqueness. Simply put, a rapper won't listen to classical music, and classical-er won't do the reverse thing. Some time it's not about the quality of the music.

Aug 3 2013:
What i mean is, it's great to be wise and able to understand the greatness of classical music, but showing that you do not having the same interest with your class mate, it decrease the chance of you making any friend at all for being boring and accused of being a old class woman.

Aug 3 2013:
I MEAN SOME PEOPLE LOVE HARD CORE RAP MUSIC!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT!!! AND RAP MUSIC IS .....STUPID!!!!! and not having realize the greatness of classical music is just making rap all that much better than any thing else!!! And they won't know it until they try it, and I won't likely to listen to most of the rap music any time soon. For being a classical music lover, wouldn't you agree that make you feel more intellectual just to doing the simple task of listen to a recorded piece of music?

Jul 26 2013:
Steven, you should read the book This Is Your Brain on Music. It does a fair job of explaining why most people don't like classical. The gist of it is that classical music is very complex, and most people don't like things (music, movies, books, whatever) that are either too complex or too simplistic. Children have a hard time appreciating classical music because their brains are not equipped to deal with its complexity. Conversely music that is made for children tends to annoy adults because it's too simple.

Note that just because I'm conceding that classical music is more complex doesn't mean I think it's superior. I think if you choose your music based on its technical merit, you're entirely missing the point. Music should be about feeling. I'm not a classical fan myself.

Aug 3 2013:
Ever read "Musicophilia" (sp?) by Oliver Sacks? He has a TED talk I haven't seen yet, but it's not on that, I don't think. Still, I've read most of his books and that one is pretty insightful.

Aug 3 2013:
Lee It's a well documented fact that babies do like certain classical compositions. It has been discovered that the music that approximates the heartbeat of babies soothes them. something to do with the sound of their mother's heartbeat while baby was in the womb. Also if a youngster is exposed to classical music from the womb onwards they grow to appreciate it during their life.

Jul 21 2013:
World going down a hole seems a little bit "sky is falling" to be honest. Okay, what's the worst case scenario if every 10-20 year old today never actively searched for classic music anytime in their life?

Seriously, what's the worst that could happen?

I'm intrigued what is the problem these 'kids' will have if they don't listen?

I think you're overstating the negative consequences that will happen if classical music becomes even less popular.

Jul 20 2013:
Well~ There are plenty of reasons why general public have ignored classical music. But more precise words is, they couldn't receive opportunities to hear and meet classical music.

First of all, we are exposed to hear pop or another funnier programs more than encounter classical music by media. People want to see making them pleasant or sensational scenes. That's also why movie directors tends to produce their movie violent, sexual, bloody. Furthermore other genres promote their strengths by programs which use the shapes of competitions(E.g. American Got talent), dramas(E.g. american drama,'Glee'), movies, even some variety programs.
My point is, it's really hard to find attractive points from the classical music. People are easily receive their culture from their surroundings, especially from the media. I think this is the first problem we should solve.

And second, people include me think that classical music is only for the royal class. To be a specialist of classical music, for example the instruments of horn, cello, etc, is actually not easy to be. To achieve that high level of this classical music, they needs a lot of incidentals and because of that, tickets for a performance should be high prices. It means only people who is so called 'royal class' can go there.

In short worlds, accessibility is the main reason why people ignore that.

Jul 22 2013:
Your comment made me stop and think things over. I don't think it's about accessibility. That's close, though. It's about timing. It takes time to develop an appreciation. Over the course of that time you have to make effort in the form of active listening, as another commentator pointed out.

As this commentator, meaning me, not that other commentator, pointed out, we live in a quick-fix, instant-gratification, short-attention span world. Like Abstract art or Victorian novels, whatever takes time has to compete with all the things you yourself pointed out that don't take time, or, in other words, are more accessible time-wise, meaning x amount of effort during y amount of time equals z amount of enjoyment or appreciation.

In a physical sense, with libraries and the internet, its more accessible, historically speaking, to expose oneself to classical music. An individual isn't being raised on a farm and walking to a one room school house and doing their lessons with chalk on slate. You said, "There are plenty of reasons why (the) general public have ignored classical music" but I think the excuse that general public would give me (or at least those that don't cop to not caring for it and not wanting to care for it) is "they couldn't receive opportunities to hear and meet classical music.'

Jul 20 2013:
My opinion is that classical music is too complex for people to play or listen to.Also there are a greater number of music genres since those earlier centuries where orchestrated music thrived.We have become accustomed to simple patterns and melodies which are more pleasing for us to hear and play.As a guitar and violin player myself,I equally enjoy all types of music.Bach is harder to play than a three chord Elvis song but each are pleasant to listen to for me.

Jul 19 2013:
Great question. I honestly, don't konw I still go to NPR to listen to some classical music, but maybe it is because many schools no longer have a music program thus the exposure to Classical music was deleted. You are holding a guitar, find a way to bring it back in the background while playing a unique tune. You could be the change the world is looking for.

Jul 21 2013:
Okay, pretend I'm the head of the board of education. Make your case for why classical music should be compulsory at high schools? and merits favour over the study of pop music, jazz, hip hop, dance, art history, film history, drama and stand up comedy history

Jul 21 2013:
The history of music is not a mandatory in educating our children is what I have stated. I have not stated that it should, until now. It is usually an elective course study. Music and the arts should/could be taught outside just the creative box. It, in my opinion, is a teaching of the soul of mankind from the classical and be bop to the hip hop. The emotion of music brought down through evolution is a highly regarded ability and a profitable career choice for a few. Rap came from one tap of a drum in it's early beginnings. One note leads to another. While rhythm can not be taught to some, the beat should still be heard. Without Tribal beats and Chopin there may not have ever been a Tupac. Creative arts should be a mandatory course of study in my opinion, or as you say, compulsory to our children today.

Jul 21 2013:
All children deserve an education in our musical tradition, and CM is obviously a large part of that. No need to "favour" CM over other forms, but since it's so central to our music a child will have a lifetime of joy from being taught how to understand and appreciate it.

Jul 17 2013:
The first thought that came to my mind: because they haven't watched Benjamin Zander!

But upon further analysis:

1. Kids view classical music as old stuff. Perhaps listening to classical is sort of like going to an art museum and not as engaging as pop music, which they can dance and sing along to.

2. A lot of the magic from classical comes from the instrument. The feeling of striking keys or strumming isn't necessarily available to everyone. Even if you could afford one, it might not be on your list up with gas and groceries.

3. It's sort of hard to engage in a conversation about classical music without being very knowledgeable.

Possible conversation:
Me: I play piano.
Joe: Oh I play piano too!
Me: Cool! What's your favorite piece?
Joe: Uh it's the one that goes dun dun dun ba dum. Nocturne Opus. (hmmm) Number (idk). But I know it's by Chopin!
Me: Way to be specific about the piece... (walks away)

4. Many people simply haven't discovered it. Their exposure is limited to Fur Elise and the Nutcracker.

Just some reasons. Makes me sad writing this being a enthusiast myself.

Jul 17 2013:
I totally agree with you on how its become old simply due to limited exposure to each coming generation, its just unfortunate that such a quintessential part of culture is being left in the dust.

Aug 16 2013:
probably for reasons similar to why the classics and other great works of fiction only take up a small sections of major books store chains....but I can understand the appeal for entertainment in the realm of fiction

What I can't abide is this - In a B&N not long ago I counted the shelves, comparing the philosophy section to religion and new age mumbo jumbo, and the ratio was something like 1 to 12, with the pseudo-spiritual nonsense winning by a mile...I see no reason for this to change....

Aug 16 2013:
Peter, just today we were discussing a wonderful outing to an estate that is opening it's doors to the public over the weekend for free entrance.

Everyone who we mentioned the outing to, kind of begged off from attending.
And we came to the conclusion that most people today want to be entertained.

They want to sit and enjoy someone else doing the work to entertain them.....even if they have to pay.
They do not want to walk around and learn anything from the past....they want to move forward....
It takes effort to entertain oneself with cultural pursuits (museums, exhibits. classic works of
literature, etc).......this is kind of sad......if you think about it.

Let's hope that those of us who appreciate things like classical music, continue to freely share these wonderful experiences with others.

Aug 12 2013:
Classical is so sublime that it is barely noticeable in the pace of modern society, but it is everywhere. Where ever you go you can still find a classical station on the radio. These days orchestras and symphonies get most of their work from those giant mega multi national production studios and elite intellectual happenings, so they tend to get invited to the really good parties.

Aug 12 2013:
Because it's elite and irrelevant. When "classical" music was in its heyday, when it was beloved by all, it was the "pop music" of the time. Ordinary people came out to listen to it. Now, it's merely a rarified diversion for the elite, defined by education, wealth, or both. As such a thing, it is now irrelevant to society at large. It will continue its boutique existence, but it will never become anything more. Indeed, the word "classical" reeks of elitism. It's not for the ordinary, the peasants. Classical music is for the lovers of classical things, those who exist on such lofty planes.

As for the number of composers "dwindling", I weep no tears for them. As academic music (a far more accurate term than "classical") has come through the decades, it has become more and more repulsive to "uneducated" ears. The response of the alleged "composers" has not been to respond to the audience but demand the audience accommodate the composers' narcissism. If you make art just for oneself, one has no right complain if nobody else likes it. Ultimately, it becomes so "personal" that it's just a form of masturbation.

I would also argue vehemently against your dating of the Romantic Era, late or not. The Romantic Era was killed by the First World War. After that, academic music went in entirely different directions.

Aug 15 2013:
I would consider Bryan's comment quite irreverent and without the proper understanding of music as an art.
One of the most basic elements of classical music is the performers dexterity and outstanding dominance of the instruments.
I really would like to see one of our "actual pop artists" doing a decent interpretation of Rachmaninoff, Bach or any other great Master!
Classical music is of a highly ordered architecture. Far beyond the massive intellectually poor individuals. But it is also far away from the current citizen whose emotional capacity has been reduced to the extreme lack of expression found in current pop music.
Today's compositions plainly depend on crude lyrics to express something. People is limited as to perceive the subtle and fluid moods described by intense or sublime musical passages.
In that sense, our societies have stepped backwards.
On thing need to be stated clearly is: It is not a "fortune" or a great attribute of our current mass society to be insensitive, intellectually and artistically poor endowed.
Definitely speaking of "masturbation" regarding classical music is actually a mirror of the current poorly endowed minds which "masturbate" themselves listening for hours to endless monotonic noises, currently defined as "music".
It is also an act of masturbation to write such thing to detract the sublime.
Of course it has happened before. Great libraries were burn by the ignorant. Astonishing works of art were destroyed by crude political interests and now, it is plain ignorance who wants to destroy what definitely is beyond his limited understanding.

Aug 15 2013:
Ah, yes, and the fact that I played in an orchestra for 7 years and sang in a chamber choir for 2 years means that I can't know anything. Yes, I am irreverent--I earned it. I saw the pretension and twaddle for what it is from the inside. Out-of-touch elitism. In this day and age, academic music generally amounts to a circle-jerk.

Aug 15 2013:
Bryan: Your response is not really connected to my comment. What is evident is you were immersed in a GROUP which might consist of not real musicians but a snob guild. That is possible.
If we accept you are really a musician as pretended, are you positive you were a good one or maybe the ""orchestra" was not really pleased with your performance, making it a difficult atmosphere to dwell in?
Anyway, a personal experience, which looks more like a psychological trauma, has NOTHING to do with the beauty, complexity and extreme expression found in all musical master pieces.
I know about bad football players which speak bad of the sport, bad architects which speak bad of the Parthenon and bad painters wihch constantly detract Michael Angelo for his work!

Aug 15 2013:
The musicians weren't the snobs. It was the non-musicians who had no real understanding of music but thought themselves to be OH, SO VERY SUPERIOR to the hoi-polloi. The elitists would have been outraged at how eclectic musicians' tastes are. Academic music has become nothing more than an echo chamber--a terrarium of music with no actual attachment to the outside world. The vigor of the Classical and Romantic eras is gone. The Modern era, with such titans as Ives and even lesser lights (but still lights, nonetheless) Cage, is winding down. All that is left is a carefully embalmed mummy of music, worshiped by a self-selecting priesthood.